Healer

A while ago, a dear friend of mine asked me to do a homework assignment that I never "turned in". Even though I never completed the assignment, the memory of that question has remained with me. The question asked was what Bible verses point to the characteristics of God that mean the most to me? (Or something to that effect. If you are reading this, friend, know that I am paraphrasing you)

One of my favorite images of God, is that of healer. This is a particularly precious aspect of God, for me, because I have walked through my share of fires and felt stings that I did not think I could bear. And yet, I made it to the other side - whole and with great joy. Not because I was resilient or strong, but because Jesus healed me. And He continues to heal me. This is made possible, because He intercedes on my behalf on a daily basis and goes where I can not go and does what I can not do.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
   and by his wounds we are healed."

- Isaiah 53:5

What I am learning, through very difficult means, is that God delights in showing us His ways. Sometimes, to reach that goal, He has to let us walk through whatever pitfall will take us to His feet. In these times, He is near, and He hears, but He may not move when and how we would like.

"We hoped for peace
   but no good has come,
for a time of healing
   but there is only terror."

- Jeremiah 8:15

In these moments, it seems that God has forsaken us. And in my life, this has led to anger and frustration. If God loves me, then why am I not healing? And the answer is that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). Which, loosely translated, means "because God said so". It stinks at the time. We want to heal, and move forward and learn from our mistakes - not sit in them. But just as the shepherd sometimes breaks the leg of the wandering sheep, Jesus also breaks us on occasion.

For he wounds, but he also binds up;
   he injures, but his hands also heal.

- Job 5:18

That is the flip side of the coin. The shepherd breaks the lamb's leg so that he can keep an eye on him. In essence, he hurts him to help him. Jesus is good to us in this way. He knows when we need His help (even when we don't see it) and He is not against breaking a few bones to help us get to where we need to be. Although He wounds, He also heals.

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed;
   save me and I will be saved,
   for you are the one I praise.

- Jeremiah 17:14

I believe that God loves to take the damaged and let them dance. However, healing requires effort on our part. He will heal us. But we must first believe that He is the healer. We must reach for the Lord's garment if we expect to be healed by its touch. He wants to heal us, but we have to first acknowledge that He can.

“Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
   but he will heal us;
he has injured us
   but he will bind up our wounds.
After two days he will revive us;
   on the third day he will restore us,
   that we may live in his presence. "

- Hosea 6:1-2

These words of Hosea are precious to me. They sum this up so beautifully. The Lord sometimes tears us to pieces, BUT He WILL heal is. He will REVIVE and RESTORE us to a better condition than we started in. In order for this to happen we must RETURN to Him. We have to go back to the one who has called us and let Him do His thing. And when He heals, we must LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE. That is why He heals us. To bring us closer to Him. The injured lamb gets carried by the shepherd. He rides on His shoulders until he can walk on his own again. Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. But think of all the time that little lamb gets to spend with the one who loves him enough to hurt him. Live in that presence. To do so is a gift bought by the suffering of one who paid a much greater price. By His wounds, we are HEALED. Amen.